Call for BIPOC+ Artists ‘24
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Call for BIPOC+ Artists:
Summit Artspace invites local BIPOC+ (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists to apply for a funded solo exhibition. Through a blind juried process, one artist will be selected to receive a $1,000 stipend to support the creation of a solo exhibition in Summit Artspace's Horizon Gallery. The organizational goal behind this exhibition is to actively undo systems of oppression and domination present in the art world. Summit Artspace is interested in the many ways in which BIPOC+ artists impact our communities through their art.
The exhibition is dedicated to– but is not limited to – uncovering the following themes:
· Exploring and advancing meaningful BIPOC+ narratives
· Re-contextualizing traditionally white-dominated genres to give new meanings
· Restoring hope by envisioning a world where social justice has taken hold
· Building support for social change, equity, and inclusion
· Exposing and denouncing injustices to marginalized communities
· Investigating new ideas and genres to transform viewer perceptions
Eligible artists will be Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color; they will live in Summit County, or surrounding counties and express an interest of making an impact through their artwork. All types of visual artists are welcome to apply for this opportunity.
Why do we use the term "BIPOC"? Black, Indigenous, and People of Color(BIPOC) is a term used in the United States intended to center the experiences of—and create solidarity between—different communities of color. Individuals and communities who identify as BIPOC note the significance of the term as an indicator of solidarity against systemic racism. BIPOC highlights each group of color and their unique experience. While many celebrate its usage, it’s important to know that not everyone agrees with the term BIPOC; there is always an element of personal preference and context to consider when using identity terminology.
The exhibition is funded in part through general operating support from Ohio Arts Council, Akron Community Foundation, and GAR Foundation.
Important Dates:
- Application Deadline: November 18 at 11:59 p.m.
- Notification of Acceptance: December 13
- Public Announcement: January 2025
- Exhibition: April 4 - June 14, 2025
Jurors: Amber Ford & Nick Lee
Amber N. Ford is an artist and freelance photographer based in Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a BFA in Photography from the Cleveland Institute of Art. While Ford’s practice is primarily in digital photography, she also engages alternative photographic processes, printmaking, collage art, and audio archiving. She pairs imagery and collaborative storytelling to showcase nuanced depictions of Black lives, and to build connections in community. She explains, “Black is the intersection where color meets identity, a way to describe my people, our history, and unique obstacles”. Her work has earned critical acclaim through exhibitions with FRONT Triennial, moCa Cleveland, and Kent State University Museum as featured in Frieze, Hyperallergic, and The New York Times. She received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award in 2017, was selected as a Gordon Square Arts District Artist-in-Residence in 2019, named an Artist-in-Residence for moCa Cleveland in 2022 and awarded the Emerging Artist Prize by the Cleveland Arts Prize in 2024. Her photojournalistic credits include The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR and more.
Nick Lee (b. 1996) is a painter and 2021 Kent State University graduate. Lee lives and works in Akron, Ohio. Lee’s work is inspired by the diversity of human experience. As a Japanese-American, Lee’s visual art strives to better represent minorities like himself in American portraiture and western art. Another motivation for Lee is self-discovery. Lee uses symbolic Japanese objects in his paintings to connect with a culture that was never taught to him growing up. Lee is the 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Citizen for Art Education for the Northeast Ohio region.
Guidelines and Information:
· Size and weight of final artwork should be easily portable and manageable. If there are special installation requirements, the artist may need to provide necessary hanging devices. Summit Artspace is able to provide basic install supplies. Pedestals and display monitors have limited availability.
· The Horizon Gallery is located on the third floor of Summit Artspace; it has 4 walls for display measuring approximately 34 feet by 26 feet with 11 foot high ceilings.
· Please note all final displays are subject to Summit Artspace approval.
· Upon entering, you will be emailed future calls for art from Summit Artspace.
· We cannot accept artwork that is shipped, nor can we ship artwork.